Temporal distribution, habitat choice and biometrics of three species of Phylloscopus leaf warblers at a stopover site in western Hungary

The habitat selection and resource partitioning during the breeding seasons of Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix, Willow Warbler Ph. trochilus and Common Chiffchaff Ph. collybita are well known, but little is known about the spatial and temporal patterns of the species in the post-breeding period. The goal of our study was to compare the autumnal migration dynamics, daily activity and habitat use of Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler and Common Chiffchaff at a stopover site in western Hungary. We also examined how the distribution of species among habitats is related to year, yearly, daily and hourly captures, as well as biometrics. A total of 12 039 individuals were captured in mist nets placed within different habitat types between 2001 and 2023. We found that, although species had different habitat preferences, they could coexist in the same habitats, because their time of passage differed greatly. The habitat choice of birds can vary from year to year, within the post-breeding period, and even within a day. Our best models suggest that leaf warblers’ habitat choice may be influenced by their body mass, wing size and pectoral muscle.